iPhone 15's USB-C Port: 4.5W Charging for Accessories, USB 3.2 Gen 2 for Pro Models, and More

[MacRumors]

In a support document published on Friday, Apple provided some additional details about the USB-C port found on all iPhone 15 models.

First, Apple said all iPhone 15 models can charge an Apple Watch, AirPods case, or other small accessories connected to the USB-C port at up to 4.5W. Apple already announced this capability, but it had not provided the wattage information.

Second, the document reveals that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max support USB 3.2 Gen 2 for data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. Apple had already revealed that the devices support USB 3, but the exact specification is now confirmed. The USB-C cable included with iPhone 15 Pro models supports USB 2 speeds, so a higher-spec cable is needed for faster speeds.

As we previously reported, the document indicates that all iPhone 15 models support DisplayPort for up to 4K HDR video mirroring to an external display or TV with a supported USB-C to DisplayPort cable, or an adapter. However, unlike select iPad models with Stage Manager, the iPhone lacks an extended display mode.

iPhone 15 Pro models also support recording ProRes video directly to an external storage device, at up to 4K and 60 frames per second.

To connect an iPhone 15 to a vehicle with a USB-A port for wired CarPlay usage, Apple says customers can use a USB-C to USB-A cable.

Additional information is outlined in the support document.

Article Link: iPhone 15's USB-C Port: 4.5W Charging for Accessories, USB 3.2 Gen 2 for Pro Models, and More

 

[jz0309]

“Reverse” charging will be VERY inefficient (from the original charging of the phone)…

And I can already see all the outcries here for including a USB 2.0 charging cable vs a higher speed one…

 

[saulinpa]

How bad will it be to charge using a USB-C to USB-A cable with an older power adapter?

 

[Apple_Robert]

Good to know I can charge my watcn If need be.

 

[ppj845]

At certain point when they start running out of things that qualifies as an upgrade, they’ll allow stage manager on an external screen with an iPhone

 

[NT1440]

“Reverse” charging will be VERY inefficient (from the original charging of the phone)…

And I can already see all the outcries here for including a USB 2.0 charging cable vs a higher speed one…

Inefficient, over a cable? What are you talking about?

 

[LionTeeth]

At certain point when they start running out of things that qualifies as an upgrade, they’ll allow stage manager on an external screen with an iPhone

With how powerful these devices are, they could go android route and let you boot to macOS when you connect an external display. Can already use them as a console. Connect Xbox controller, connect to monitor, play.

 

[mattoruu]

“Reverse” charging will be VERY inefficient (from the original charging of the phone)…

And I can already see all the outcries here for including a USB 2.0 charging cable vs a higher speed one…

Yes, but… so? That’s literally true of any random power bank/battery pack.

 

[flexwithmarius]

“Reverse” charging will be VERY inefficient (from the original charging of the phone)…

And I can already see all the outcries here for including a USB 2.0 charging cable vs a higher speed one…

Everyone is suddenly a pro user when Apple doesn’t include the necessary equipment to take advantage of said pro features. The regular cable is going to be fine for 95% of users.

Unless the user is a videographer or content creator transferring large amounts of data on the daily, they’re gonna be good with the stock cable.

 

[haruhiko]

With how powerful these devices are, they could go android route and let you boot to macOS when you connect an external display. Can already use them as a console. Connect Xbox controller, connect to monitor, play.

Given how the iPhone 14 Pro overheats so often (you can touch the SoC part of the phone, it gets really hot under load) — and that’s why the poor battery health experienced by many — I don’t think it can run it with a good performance in a cool temperature…

 

[mattoruu]

How bad will it be to charge using a USB-C to USB-A cable with an older power adapter?

Do you mean how slow will be be compared to using the basic Apple USB-A power adapter (that we all have a billion of lying around, lol)? If so, that basic power adapter is a 5w adapter. So 4.5w verses 5w… definitely slower, but I don’t think it‘ll be that noticeable for just plugging in a random small accessory.

You’ll (presumably) be using the feature for charging Apple accessories. For example, I think (but not 100% sure) the AirPod Pro case maxes out at 5w. (Is that right?)

 

[svish]

Good to know about the finer details from Apple website

 

[HiRez]

So people who buy a $1K+ Pro model and use the cable that came with it will be crippled on speed, possibly without even knowing it? Jesus, Apple, just how cheap are you? That's so awful.

 

[Apple_Robert]

Given how the iPhone 14 Pro overheats so often (you can touch the SoC part of the phone, it gets really hot under load) — and that’s why the poor battery health experienced by many — I don’t think it can run it with a good performance in a cool temperature…

The 14 Pro does not have an overheating problem.

 

[BeatCrazy]

So people who buy a $1K+ Pro model and use the cable that came with it will be crippled on speed, possibly without even knowing it? Jesus, Apple, just how cheap are you? That's so awful.

Considering 99% of Pro model users will never plug it in to transfer data, it’s ridiculous to include a higher spec cable. If you need the speed and can afford a $1,000-1,200 phone you can swing $10 for a cable and length that meets your needs.

 

[SpotOnT]

I can’t believe Apple is not including a USB 3 cable with the Pro phones. There really is no excuse to pinch pennies like that on a premium device.

 

[dukebound85]

Considering 99% of Pro model users will never plug it in to transfer data, it’s ridiculous to include a higher spec cable. If you need the speed and can afford a $1,000-1,200 phone you can swing $10 for a cable and length that meets your needs.

stop making excuses for apple.

this is petty by apple for a 1k-1.7k device that no longer includes a power brick or headphones anymore as well

 

[maerz001]

Considering 99% of Pro model users will never plug it in to transfer data, it’s ridiculous to include a higher spec cable. If you need the speed and can afford a $1,000-1,200 phone you can swing $10 for a cable and length that meets your needs.

Apple was talking half of the presentation about environment and zero emissions and yet you have to buy a second cable

 

[cutlub]

The 14 Pro does not have an overheating problem.

Mine does. Exactly where the SoC resides. I’ve had mine shut off numerous times.

 

[MAcNIAC]

“Reverse” charging will be VERY inefficient (from the original charging of the phone)…

And I can already see all the outcries here for including a USB 2.0 charging cable vs a higher speed one…

yeah - you're right about the outcry. So here goes -- apple should get called out for including a cable that does not allow the pro phones to transfer at full speed. seriously for what you pay for the iPhone pro I think it's reasonable to expect apple to include a premium cable

 

[MacAddict1978]

Everyone is suddenly a pro user when Apple doesn’t include the necessary equipment to take advantage of said pro features. The regular cable is going to be fine for 95% of users.

Unless the user is a videographer or content creator transferring large amounts of data on the daily, they’re gonna be good with the stock cable.

It can't output to a display either - and grandmas like to show photos so....

 

[Hank001]

stop making excuses for apple.

this is petty by apple for a 1k-1.7k device that no longer includes a power brick or headphones anymore as well

They also stopped including the dock, the original 2007 iPhone came with that as well.

So now the phone costs:
iPhone 15 Pro $999 - $1599
Earpods $19
Data cable $69
20W USB-C Power Adapter $19
Dock. No dock.

 

[Egregius]

There shouldn’t be a cable in the box at all. Most of the people already have chargers and cables.

 

[mlayer]

You could see the trajectory in the previous USB-C equipped Apple products.

iPad Pro: TB 3/USB 4 (40 Gbps)
iPad Air: USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gb)
iPad mini: USB 3.1 Gen 1 (5 Gb)
iPad 10: USB 2 (480 Mb)

Spreading it out like this allowed Apple to get usage data on all 4 products and match solutions. They chose the USB 3.1/3.2 Gen 2 part because they felt 10 Mbps was enough for the vast majority of users. It also kept costs down compared to including a TB controller for TB 3/4 support, not to mention leaving that option for an “Ultra” iPhone next year. I imagine that was as much a factor as anything in not going with the Ultra moniker this year.

Fact is USB C is far more a charging method than a data transfer method. Apple wanted to deprecate wires but it hasn’t worked out the way they wanted, so they’re going with a cable for the next several years. If they need to bump up data speed or charging capacity it’s all there in the spec for future iPhones. Personally I have all these old USB-C charging cables that came with my MacBooks that I can easily repurpose for the iPhone 15 Pro I‘m getting next week.

 

[sw1tcher]

Second, the document reveals that the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max support USB 3.2 Gen 2 for data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps. Apple had already revealed that the devices support USB 3, but the exact specification is now confirmed. The USB-C cable included with iPhone 15 Pro models supports USB 2 speeds, so a higher-spec cable is needed for faster speeds.

🤣 Typical Apple. Force iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max users to buy a higher spec USB cable to get faster USB transfers speeds.

How is that good for the environment Apple claims they care so much about?